Supporting Rural Alaska Communities Through Every Stage of Project Development—from an Idea to a Completed Project.
You shouldn't have to navigate complex grants and major infrastructure projects alone. Sailaq Consulting is here to help your community move confidently from funding opportunities to successful project completion.
Local Knowledge.
Rooted in Rural Alaska.
Built on Experience.
We know the unique challenges rural Alaska communities face because we've lived them.
Our experience comes from working alongside the communities we now serve. Having worked in tribal administration, municipal leadership, nonprofit management, and rural infrastructure, we understand the realities local leaders face every day.
We provide practical support through grant writing, grant management, project coordination, funding research, resolutions, reimbursements, and other administrative services that help communities move projects forward with confidence.
As an Alaska Native woman-owned business, we're proud to partner with rural Alaska communities to build local capacity and support projects that make a lasting impact.
Sailaq Consulting LLC is registered as a small business with the State of Alaska and is also registered in SAM.gov for federal contracting opportunities.
Meet the Team
Our team is united by a shared commitment to supporting rural Alaska and helping communities build a sustainable, self-reliant future.
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Tessa Unaliin Baldwin-Cyrus
Founder and Principle Consultant
Tessa Unaliin Baldwin-Cyrus is Inupiaq from Kiana, Alaska, where she is raising her family and operating their family store with her husband, Ely Cyrus. Tessa’s parents are Sarah Randall of Ambler and Clyde Baldwin Jr. of Kiana. Tessa brings strong rural Alaska experience in tribal, municipal, and nonprofit work across the Northwest Arctic region. She has served as City Manager for the City of Kotzebue and as Tribal Administrator for the Native Village of Kiana. She now supports tribes, cities, and organizations through Sailaq Consulting LLC with grant writing, grant management, strategic planning, and project development. Tessa's life long commitment is not only to serve all of rural Alaska but to ensure that the generations after can continue to inherit world class water and sewer, infrstatructure and to live in a place to be proud of. Tessa holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master of Social Work from Columbia University. Her work is grounded in community, Indigenous leadership, and responsibility to rural Alaska communities move important projects from planning to completion. Tessa was recognized in 2024 as top 20 under 40 serving the State of Alaska. Tessa also serves on the City of Kiana City Council and is on the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly representing the communities of Kiana, Noorvik and Noatak.
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Jazmine Camp
Grant Writer
Jazmine Camp is a grant writer with Sailaq Consulting, supporting rural Alaska communities, tribal organizations, and municipalities through grant development and project support services. Jazmine comes from a background in education and program management where she taught in the Northwest Arctic Borough School district for a number of years. Jazmine recently transitioned into grant writing with a focus on community-centered projects in Northwest Alaska. Her experience working closely with students, families, organizations, and community partners has given her a strong passion to advocate for the unique needs and priorities of rural communities. As a resident of Kotzebue, Alaska, Jazmine is personally invested in supporting projects that strengthen and serve rural communities. She currently works in higher education and is pursuing her MBA through the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She values relationship-building, collaboration, and practical solutions that support long-term community goals. When not working, Jazmine enjoys spending time out on the land subsisting, training with her recreational dog team, and volunteering in the community.
Our Purpose:
We meet communities where they are and provide support that strengthens local capacity, advances community priorities, and builds long-term resilience.
Why Communities Trust Sailaq
Deeply rooted in the communities we serve.
Alaska Native Woman-Owned
Local knowledge that shapes every recommendation.
Based in
Kiana, Alaska
Affordable hourly rate with no expensive retainers.
Transparent
Pricing
Every solution tailored to your goals, priorities, and community.
Community-Centered Approach
Big Community Goals Need the Right Support
Rural communities deserve the resources, guidance, and capacity to bring important projects to life.
Grant funding, reporting requirements, and large infrastructure projects can place a heavy burden on already busy teams. Without the right support, opportunities may be missed and important work can lose momentum.
Community-Centered Support for the Unique Needs of Rural Alaska.
We believe the best solutions come from listening first.
Our team brings years of experience in tribal administration, municipal leadership, nonprofit management, and grant development throughout rural Alaska. We understand how communities operate because we've served in those roles ourselves. That firsthand experience allows us to provide practical support that respects each community's priorities, culture, and long-term goals
Our Services
Every community has unique goals, challenges, and opportunities.
At Sailaq Consulting, we work alongside local leaders to provide practical guidance, funding expertise, and project support that helps communities move important projects forward with confidence.
Grant Writing & Funding Strategy
Finding the right funding opportunity is only the beginning. We help identify grants that align with your community's priorities, prepare competitive applications, and develop proposals that clearly communicate your vision. Our goal is to help you pursue funding with confidence and increase your chances of success.
Grant Management
Receiving an award is an exciting milestone, but managing grant requirements can quickly become overwhelming. We provide ongoing support with grant administration, reporting, compliance, reimbursements, and documentation, helping your community stay organized and meet funding requirements from start to finish.
Strategic Planning & Project Support
Successful projects begin with thoughtful planning. We work alongside communities to develop strategic plans, support capital projects, coordinate procurement documents, prepare resolutions and letters, conduct funding research, and provide project support that keeps important initiatives moving forward.
Who We Serve
We proudly partner with:
•Rural Alaska Communities
•Tribal Governments
• Municipalities
• Nonprofit Organizations
Every partnership begins by listening.
We take the time to understand your community's priorities so we can provide support that fits your goals, your timeline, and your capacity.
The Values That Guide Our Work
Meeting Communities Where They Are
Every community has different priorities, challenges, and strengths. We take time to understand your needs before recommending solutions.
Building Local Capacity
Success isn't just about securing funding. It's about helping communities build the knowledge and confidence to sustain projects for years to come.
Honoring Community Leadership
We believe lasting progress happens through collaboration, respect, and local leadership. Our role is to support your vision, not replace it.
How it Works
A Simple Process Built Around Your Community
Every community is different, but our approach always starts by listening.
Step 01
Start the Conversation
We learn about your community, your priorities, and the goals you're working toward.
Step 02
Build a Strategy
Together, we'll identify funding opportunities, create a plan, and prepare everything needed for success.
Step 03
Support Every Step Forward
From submitting applications to managing grants and guiding projects through completion, we're with you along the way.
What Clients Say
“We highly recommend their services to any organization in need of reliable, knowledgeable grant management support especially for the unique needs of Rural Alaska.”
Sailaq Consulting, led by owner Tessa Baldwin, has been an invaluable partner for the City of Kotzebue's grant management needs. They are very easy to work with and handle all of our required grant reporting accurately and on time. Beyond reporting, Tessa also advises us on identifying and applying for additional grant opportunities that benefit our community. Without Sailiaq Consulting, we simply would not have the capacity to manage our grants effectively. We highly recommend their services to any organization in need of reliable, knowledgeable grant management support especially for the unique needs of Rural Alaska.
Saima Chase
Current Mayor of City of Kotzebue
Working together our city has been successfully receiving grants for the needs of our community.
Taikuu!
On behalf as a council member of the city of Buckland I want to thank you sailaq consulting for choosing to represent our city. Working together our city has been successfully receiving grants for the needs of our community.
Nathan
Alaska
Sailaq Consulting provides grant writing, grant management, funding planning, and capital project support for rural Alaska communities and organizations.
The first step is a conversation about the community or organization's needs, current projects, and priorities. From there, Sailaq Consulting can recommend a scope of work and determine whether our services are a good fit.
No. Securing funding is only one part of moving a project forward. Sailaq Consulting can support communities throughout different stages of a project—from identifying priorities and finding funding to grant management, agency coordination, procurement support, project tracking, and closeout.
No. Services can be structured around a specific project, short-term need, hourly agreement, or longer-term consulting relationship.
Yes. We can review the grant agreement and current project status, identify outstanding requirements, and help develop a plan for getting the grant back on track.
Yes. Grant management is a major part of our services. Support can include reporting, reimbursements, funding agency communication, tracking deadlines, documentation, and grant closeout.
Rates depend on the type of organization, scope of work, and complexity of the project. Sailaq Consulting provides a clear scope and pricing structure before work begins. We would be happy to scheduled a free 30 minute consultation to hear about your project!
Frequently Asked Questions
Let's Build Stronger Communities Together
Every important project starts with a conversation.
Book a Discovery Call
We understand that every community's needs are different, and we're here to meet you where you are. Let's start a conversation about how Sailaq Consulting can support your goals. Feel free to fill out our form or email us directly.
Email: tessacyrus@sailaq.org